Symphony of Midea: Poetry · Music · Painting

Author: Wang Ziliang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-01-01
Features: By Lord Byron, translated by Yang Xiling
15 Jesus, how beautiful the scenery here is! How beautifully has the Almighty adorned this place! Fragrant fruits hang on every tree! A beautiful landscape unfolds between the mountains! But man will destroy it, with his unfaithful offspring. Yet when the Almighty Lord raises His whip to punish those who rebel, He will strike the cruel Gallic army with triple fury, driving them out of the earth.
19 The monastery stands proudly on the steep mountain peak, its grayish-white cork trees serving as clothing for the cliffs. The moss in the mountains is scorched by the scorching sun, while the shrubs in the shadowy valleys weep in sorrow. The azure sea is calm without a single ripple, golden oranges dotting the lush green forests. Waterfalls cascade from the cliffs into the deep gorges, grapes hang on the mountains, and weeping willows grow at the foot of the hills. The colors blend together, creating a magnificent scene.
From 1809 to 1811, Byron traveled to the East. According to his letters to his mother, this was to "see humanity, not just read about them in books" and to dispel the "harmful consequences of a islander's narrow prejudices confined at home." Accompanied by his friend, Henry Howard, Byron left London in June 1809 and traveled through Portugal, Spain, Malta, Albania, Greece, and Turkey, returning to England in July 1811. The British fascination with exotic travel to the East was greatly influenced by Byron's journey. In addition to observing local customs, visiting historical and scenic sites, and admiring nature, he encountered various people, including Ali Pasha, the Turkish governor of Albania.
Childe Harold's Pilgrimage, and chapters were published in February 1812, causing a sensation in the literary world. They sold seven editions within four weeks, instantly making Byron a famous poet. In his diary, he wrote, "I awoke one fine morning to find myself famous." Despite the ups and downs of Byron's later life, Childe Harold's Pilgrimage brought him his first enduring fame, and thereafter, a steady stream of his poems emerged.
Harold in Italy (Symphony) by Berlioz
This symphony is based on Lord Byron's long poem, Childe Harold's Pilgrimage. The poem depicts the adventures of a noble youth.